Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Mission Capabilities
Flag of an assistant secretary of defense
Incumbent
Alex Lovett[1]
Acting 
since September 29, 2025
United States Department of Defense
AbbreviationASD(M&C)
Reports toUnder Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering
AppointerThe president
with Senate advice and consent
Term lengthAppointed
FormationJuly 24, 2023
First holderJames Caggy
SalaryExecutive Schedule
WebsiteOfficial website

The assistant secretary of defense for mission capabilities (ASD(MC)) is a position in the United States Department of Defense responsible for the overall supervision of mission capabilities, prototype testing, and the demonstration of "multi-domain" concepts.[2] The officeholder is the principal advisor to the under secretary of defense for research and engineering.

The position was created in 2023, under the leadership of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.[3]

In July 2025, President Donald Trump nominated James Caggy to the position.[2]

List of assistant secretaries of defense for mission capabilities

No. Assistant Secretary Term Ref.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy
-
Thomas J. Browning
Acting
July 24, 2023January 20, 20251 year, 180 days[4]
-
Marcia Holmes
Acting
January 20, 2025September 29, 2025252 days[5]
-
Alex Lovett
Acting
September 29, 2025Incumbent87 days-

References

  1. ^ https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/2928916/alexander-r-lovett/
  2. ^ a b Harper, Jon (July 8, 2025). "Trump taps former AWS exec for senior role in Pentagon's research and engineering directorate". DefenseScoop. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "Pentagon Research Office Sets Up Three New Assistant Secretaries". meritalk.com. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  4. ^ "Thomas J. Browning".
  5. ^ "Marcia Holmes" (PDF).